Ala. Superintendent Bice outlines changes for Birmingham schools

State Superintendent of Education Tommy Bice says he intends for the state takeover of the Birmingham school system to end its reputation for being top heavy with administrators, and he will do that with or without with cooperation of the Birmingham school board.

The state Department of Education took over the system Wednesday after the Birmingham board failed to agree on a cost-cutting plan. The state Board of Education met Thursday to implement Bice's management plan.

Bice said it's up to the Birmingham board whether the changes are done collaboratively or by the state. But he said Birmingham will no longer have one supervisor, director or manager for every 20 students. He said that's the highest ratio in the state. It compares with a one-to-124 ratio in nearby Shelby County.